At the Italian Open a new doubles team was born in the form of Coco Gauff and Alexandra Eala.
Two of the WTA Tour’s top young talents teamed up to go for glory in Rome alongside the American’s push for singles success.
Eala burst onto the scene at the Miami Open when she defeated three Grand Slam champions on the way to reaching the semi-finals.
The teenager has shown what she is capable of on the singles court and now she has since illustrated what she can do in doubles as she impressed alongside Coco Gauff in Rome.
Coco Gauff explains why she kept apologising to doubles partner Alexandra Eala in Rome
Gauff and Alexandra Eala teamed up to play doubles for the first time at the Italian Open.
The pair made an impressive start to their campaign by winning their opening two matches in straight sets.
In the quarter-finals they took on the experienced doubles pairing of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani, who were playing on home soil.
Gauff and Eala lost a tight match 5-7, 6-3, 10-7, but they certainly pushed the third seeded team all the way despite only playing three matches together.
Post-match Gauff praised Eala for her performance and claimed she kept apologising to any errors made due to the lack of doubles Gauff now plays on tour.
“In our match yesterday she definitely got MVP for that. I was just kind of there, so I told her sometimes I forget how to play because sometimes it’s been a while,” Gauff told Tennis Channel.
“And I don’t know, it’s one of those things, they say you ride a bike and don’t forget how to play it. Doubles you definitely forget!
“Sometimes I told her I am like a deer on ice at the net, that’s what I feel like. Many times I have apologised to her, but she is quick and fast, so she is there to cover for me!”
How did Coco Gauff feel about playing doubles with Alexandra Eala?
Gauff has scaled back the amount of doubles she plays on the WTA Tour.
Gauff has not played with long-time partner Jessica Pegula since the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 21-year-old has teamed up with different players since.
Gauff played with Robin Montgomery in Madrid, and she played doubles with Eala in Rome after the World number 70 contacted her via direct message on social media.
While she did not know how they would play together, Gauff is happy she agreed to play doubles with Eala.
“[Chemistry has been] great. She is super great and super fun.,” Gauff added. “She plays really aggressive doubles, which is something that I like and we will definitely need it today. I am really happy.
“I knew how she played on singles but you never know how people are going to play in doubles but I am very happy.”
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